cyndaneooc | Chapter 1: A Light in the Dark, TDM

Chapter 1: A Light in the Dark, TDM

A spark in the night All awaken in their own time as if from a perfectly innocuous sleep, well-rested and refreshed in a way that is perhaps less innocuous, but what is perhaps most striking in these first moments is that no one is in their own bed. All now on this plane awaken in simple bunks within simple cabins...not that this fact is very easily observable.

Undoubtedly rivaling the strangeness of awaking in a new bed is the fact that this place is nearly devoid of natural light. One might at first assume it's nighttime, but no moonlight streams through the windows. The only light is from a lit lantern, allowing the barest observations: each cabin houses up to six people in six bunks, each has a small table with two chairs, the walls are worn wooden plank and the roof tin, the construction very simple. As everyone rouses, there are certainly reactions to be had and decisions to be made. Should anyone wander outside, they will find that there are at least stars shining in the sky, though their positions are unfamiliar. Despite the darkness, it is cool but not cold. The land in the immediate area seems mostly even, the environment akin to scrubland. They will also find that there are more cabins, all set along a single well-worn pathway and all filled with more people in the same predicament. Nobody knows this place. Nobody knows what is happening or why they are here."

So... What's one to do?

Who was here? Exploration of the camp itself reveals a few things that may be helpful. There are several established campfire areas, some with makeshift seating or simple cooking tools. At the end of the row of cabins, there is a small storage building containing various tinned foods (quality unknown), tools, simple animal traps and fishing equipment, candles and matches, a small supply of assorted spare clothes, and a fairly generous quantity of firewood. All of this, but no signs of the people who put it here. If they left, it was recent and unhurried; no gathered dusk, nothing ransacked or overturned... Still, is anyone in a position to look a gift horse in the mouth? With the right amount of cooperation and lack of panic, perhaps this new little populous might simply wait the situation out.

When and if people grow restless, it is also observable that the main path of the camp, once itself the bed of a creek, continues onward in either direction.

Seek & Find Taking the path North—though how can one truly tell?—leads wanderers to an incline, which becomes the steep and rocky base of a mountain. While the mountain itself is not very steep or perilous, the conditions are hard to measure in the darkness. Still, any adventurer or group intrepid enough may pick their way to the top over the course of two to three "days", however they're measuring. They'll find the landscape rocky and, like the campsite, mostly patches of scrub grass populated by small animals such as mice, rabbits, and birds.

Should anyone reach the top... Congratulations! While there's no picturesque view to be had, there is a large cairn. Examining the exterior of it carefully, one might find a message etched into one of the larger stones near the base:

You will cross my path again. This is inevitable.
Taking the path South brings one to a stream. Providence! Upon examination or experimentation, the water is found to be clean and drinkable, and one might even be able to figure out how to start snagging up some fish or washing or doing laundry. It's a perfectly fine little resource for the camp.

Walking upstream for any length of time will yield no promising results. One cannot see the landscape stretching out before them and there is only the rustle of the wind through the grass or the occasional fleeing of a small animal. Is it becoming darker, even? Perhaps it is. Perhaps it's best to turn back before the lamp oil or candles are gone.

Walking downstream, on the other hand, leads to a decline that slopes steadily, the trail a little more precarious until it widens out. This seems...almost road-like, even? Does that instill confidence? If yes, keep pushing forward! In about 25 miles, one can see lights in the distance. Drawing nearer, the shape of a town's front gate strung with decorative lanterns appears. This is the town of Stonesthrow.

The townspeople are in a bit of a tizzy, rushing here and there, setting up lanterns and booths, prepping in their various kitchens. It seems some celebration is meant to kick off soon, and while the townspeople are friendly, they don't have much time to spare the newcomers. They don't seem surprised by their presence, and relaying waking up at the camp prompts fairly nonchalant reactions. 'Up at the old mines?' they might ask. 'Oh, I'd stay away from there.' They also aren't fussed if questioned about the state of the world and its lack of light. They get by.

There are beds available at a couple inns, and one only has to make the request. Locals also won't bat an eye at out-of-towners hunkering down to camp or have a snooze outdoors in public spaces.

Starfall For those who elected to stay behind at the camp or journey to the mountain, Stonesthrow makes itself known bombastically. A squeal and explosion sound in the distance, and anyone outside will see a burst of crackling light in the distance. It's a fireworks display, its purples, oranges and yellows stark against the utter darkness of this place, perhaps the first sign of outside life since finding themselves here. Every six hours for 72 hours, another display is launched. Those remaining at the mining camp can find their way easily, then, to the town.

When they arrive, a festival is in full swing. A banner over the town's main road reads "ENJOY THE STARFALL SKIES".

Along the main street, several carts and booths serve a variety of food. No one asks for any money and, if questioned about this, the people of the town seem to have no idea what payment even is. One of the carts offers fresh fruits that may look familiar to some, resembling dragon fruit and lychees. When peeled open, however, the flesh carries a faint glow. The vender calls them starfruit and moonfruit, which is perhaps unusual given that there's no sign of the moon in the sky. Ever. Starfruit are said to increase one's charm and stamina, while moonfruit are said to increase perception and cunning. No matter how implausible this seems, consuming them does seem to replenish the mind and body, increase gregariousness, or make one a suspicious little plotter. Respectively.

Also available are different games of chance and skill, taking place within the town's open square. Included are classics such as arm wrestling, bottle toss, and wheel-spinning, each awarding varying small trinkets, all decorated with star motifs. Craft displays and items are also available, all themed around the stars. While peddlers are unfamiliar with money, they will accept item trades or other barters. All offer well-wishes such as "may the stars fall in your favor" or "have a glowing Starfall". If anyone asks what Starfall's about, they are instructed to watch the next fireworks display and stay for the production afterwards.

The final fireworks show is grand and magnificent. Many aren't just pops of light and color, but take the form of moving spectacles. A dragon soars across the sky, a snake lunges at a rabbit who manages to get away, flowers bloom and petals fall... Each scene is one pulled from the natural world. Afterwards, a stage performance is put on in the main courtyard. A man with a guitar accompanies a woman who sings the story of Starfall.

The tale is simple enough. Two lovers meet against the will of their worlds and gods. One cunning and observant but far too afraid to take action, the other daring enough to cross worlds to join her, bearing gifts of fire and warm, glowing light, previously unknown. To commemorate this meeting and the divine gifts, Starfall is still celebrated today, marked by a certain positioning of the stars and greeted with joyful fireworks displays.

The celebration winds down slowly after that, with the townspeople settling in for warmed wine, quieter card games, and gossip as their children wander off to bed. Once again, nobody will begrudge the newcomers hanging about, particularly if they offer to help in the cleanup. Of course, there’s also the possibility of returning to the camp.

Mod Notes! Welcome to the first ever Test Drive meme for Cyndane! We're happy to have you! A few things to keep in mind:

The world you arrived in is dark (no sun, no moon), and there's no harnessed electricity. Oddly, while the nights are cool, it's uncomfortable at worst as opposed to deadly.
Any questions about the prompts or setting can be asked here.
For general game questions, please refer to the FAQ.
Applications will open on May 1 and will close on May 5.
Accepted characters who participated on the TDM will have an additional Bond Slot available to them in the month of May to use upon arrival.

♡

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The elbow has her turning with a questioning look. But okay, touchy subject. Duly noted.

"Passed, sure. Through or away? Debatable. And—" She holds up a finger. "I already asked. No real answers. Maybe they're hiding something, maybe they're not. I'm not trusting it." She takes a bigger bite of her free fruit. Trust issues have their limits. She's starved, okay?

"Might be cultists." She mumbles it a little under her breath.

"I would hope through, but..." He sighs, leaving the rest of that thought unsaid. That is a possibility, certainly. But do they have any reason to suspect such a thing besides they're being too nice? Surely there are other explanations. Surely someone would have noticed by now if this place carried the stench of death and lies.

"Let's not jump to any conclusions," he settles on. Not enough information, not yet. "This is not my realm, nor yours. We should learn more about these folk and their practices before we start calling them cultists."

And then he, too, takes another bite of his fruit. Which looks kind of stupid, since he's still shoving slices of it under the helmet.

"I'm only jumping because no one here's tried to build a bridge." She says it still under her breath, a bit harsh.

She watches him eat with clear bafflement. "You know, you could take the helmet off, right? No one's going to judge your helmet hair."

Well.

"Never mind. I might. But it's less painful than trying to eat like that."

Ragn stops, a reaction just short of a flinch. He's used to these sorts of comments. He chuckles, as if her obvious suggestion was merely a joke.

"It's actually quite comfortable!" It is. He would be extremely uncomfortable if he tried to take it off. He doesn't even dare to imagine such a thing.

Change the topic. Anything is better than explaining his weird insecurities.

"So! Who's your friend?"

"Friend? What... friend? I just got here." Friends don't work like that, buddy.

She scoots a little away. It's casual, barely noticeable. One insecure topic for another. She'll fight back though.

"So. Is it like.. a weird nose or something?" She says it privately, in a whisper.

"The person you were talking to? Or spirit, or familiar, or etcetera."

And then she immediately throws it back at him. Gods be good, he will not lose this battle of wits.

"It's... a handsome nose." He assumes. Probably. He will, at least, match her whispered tone, tipping his head slightly. This is a very private conversation they are having now, unlike before when they were accusing the locals of possibly being cultists. "Is it... an aberration?"

The locals honestly should know they're acting suspicious. She was loud with purpose.

"No, myself. Just talking to myself. Don't you do that?" Her chin leans in, though she mutters her words a bit, awkwardly. She takes another bite of that moon fruit. Back to whispering. See how polite she is?

"Handsome nose, huh? Prove it."

... Well, shit. She's got him there. He bites his lip, taking a little too long to come up with an answer to that.

"Not out loud, usually." It's fine and normal to talk to yourself in your head, but out loud? Where people can hear? That's crazy talk. Suspicious. It's completely different. "And I have nothing to prove to anyone. I am a handsome, manly man, regardless of what my face may or may not look like."

He points at her with a fruit slice.

"Is it your patron? Are you a warlock?" They are now playing twenty questions.

That's easy. "No." She says carefully, smirking. Look into her eyes, tell her she's lying.

"Yeah, right. Doubt it." She hums another thought, a silly question.

"Do.. you have a face? Just checking. Maybe it's hollow." She raises a fist like she's ready to knock on the helmet to check.

"Of course I have a face. Don't be ridiculous." He does lean back a little, though. Not a big fan of having his bucket helm rapped on.

He pauses, thinking harder this time. Chances are he already guessed the right answer and she's just fucking with him now... but there are other options he hasn't mentioned yet. Surely one of these will get a reaction.

"Is it a magic item? Sending spell? A mimic in disguise?"

The raised fist falls back into an open hand and a shrug. "Yeah, I'm still seeing no evidence of a handsome nose, let alone any nose. Or manly man. Armor does not make you manly. Sorry to break it to you."

She rolls her eyes, tired of the guesses. "Why in the Hells would I be talking to a mimic? No, it's really just myself." She gives a wide gesture. "Seriously, do you see anyone else?" Ignoring the ongoing festive goers.

Armor is very manly. This woman knows nothing.

He folds his arms again, giving the impression that he might be pouting under there. "Fine, then. I suppose we'll just have to agree to disagree."

On his nose? Her unseen companion? Both, perhaps. It's not like it matters to him anyway. Whatever she does is her own business.

"... but if you did have a secret companion, I would be cool about it. Even if they didn't want to talk to me."

"It doesn't work that way." Which might give more away than she means to so she's quick to add: "And I am talking to you. Maybe regrettably."

Avella turns more toward him, eager to change the topic anyway. "What'd you say your name was? Manly man?"

Chapter 1: A Light in the Dark, TDM

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